Big-picture strategy for small households

Save on groceries

July 15, 2009|By Heather McPherson, Sentinel Food Editor

You might think that keeping a grocery budget in check in a small household would be easy. Fewer mouths to feed equals less money flowing from the account, right? That may not always be the case -- especially when it's difficult to take advantage of volume buying.

Here are some cost-saving strategies:

*Look for large bags of frozen vegetables and chicken breasts on sale. Divide contents into single-serving sizes and refreeze at home in freezer-quality sealable bags.

*Check the small print on coupons or in-store promotions to avoid buying more than you need to qualify for a discount. You may not need to buy 10 cans of beans to qualify for the same discount on just one. When in doubt, ask for a clarification at the customer-service counter.

*If you don't have the storage space

to take advantage of buy-in-bulk offers or warehouse-club savings, share the bargains with friends. You are bound to find other thrifty shoppers through church groups and book clubs.